Favorite France At Juno Download

Review: Buddy Sativa is another of the French soul jazz artists causing a stir at the moment. On "Mystic Voyage" he drops two tracks that merge keys, brass sections, bass and percussion in that classic Parisian way. A talented musician, Sativa knows how to compose music in various different styles and is therefore able to communicate his vision of music across a number of platforms.

His first instrument of composition was always keys, then came the machines and samples, allowing him to build the tracks around his key parts. The title track is a cover of Roy Ayers, reworked with Savita?s own approach. For him, Ayers' music was essential to the development of his own and was therefore an obvious choice for someone to cover. After a hazy intro, Sativa sets off into his improvisational swing jazz style. A big band with bright brass joins a heavy rhythm section in a full on jazz tribute to the original. Sativa's interest in and knowledge of rhythm, particularly through west African drums, becomes more apparent on "Una Peripecia" though. Although it is actually Onra on drumming duty within the track, we hear all the elements of percussion that Sativa holds dearly.

His workout on the keys joins Onra's drums and deep bass, creating a latin jazz feel that resides throughout. This is imaginative and improvisational jazz with a contemporary feel. As French imprint Favourite Recordings continue to press music of this sentiment to such high standards, the world is becoming more and more familiar with the likes of Buddy Sativa.

Review: A full-length album from modern soul singer Hawa, who first came on our radar after the effortlessly funky single "The Best Is Yet To Come" (done in collaboration with Mr President). Here, all manner of rootsy and organic funk styles are out in force: the Motown-ish swing of "I Was Born To Love" for example, the slow skank of the title tune and "Never Give Up", and the slo-mo fusion of "Trickery Shit" all demonstrate Hawa's dynamism, while the excellent Northern Soul swagger of "Coming Back" has "single" written all over it.

Review: This release marks the debut of Anglo-french singer Joy Poirel (AKA Joyzza) and backing combo The Joyous Juice (Florian "Flow" Pellissier, Thibaut Brandalise and Virgile Raffaeli). Both tracks are rather charming, offering a sweet, soft-focus take on soul laden with jazz-funk intent. "If I Ruled The World" is an unlikely success in many ways, proof that strange, soulful covers of old Nas hip-hop classics can work well. Even better, though, is original composition "She Song". Poirel's vocals soar, while the Joyous Juice's backing is noticeably tougher and breezier, with some neat jazz guitar touches and a Latin finish to the beats. In a word: summery.

Review: As vocalist with funky sensations The Dynamics (famous for their awesome covers of "Seven Nation Army" and "Move On Up" amongst others) Cameroon-born Mounam has already delighted legions of fans with her unique and soulful tones. Now she steps out on a solo mission, backed up by Parisian band Trevor and Lisa, and it's a resounding success. Tight brass and afro-beat drums give Mounam the perfect backing for her sharp and powerful vocals, as does the slower Dwilt Sharp mix that accompanies the single.

Review: The multi talented Mr Day provides another release on Favourite Recordings with "Small Fry." Perfectly in tone with label and artist, this soulful release offers the original alongside a disco mix from Patchworks.

Hailing from France, Mr Day has his highly insurable fingers in several pies. He is the singer for both the French jazz combo, Metropolitan Jazz Affair and The Dynamics. He has also featured on highly acclaimed productions by Patchworks, Boozoo Bajou and Mr President not to mention his own electro soul releases on indie label Rotax. Now, Favourite recordings will be unleashing his debut solo album next month and have therefore decided to release "Small Fry" as a taster of the album which goes by the same name.

Displaying his immensely soulful disposition, the track Evokes classic 70s soul from the likes of Marvyne Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Al Green. Its composition is sparse and roomy, each sound is given space to breathe as this easy and enveloping track unfolds with swagger and finesse. Effortlessly suave, "Small Fry" perhaps hints at the kind of pure soul music, dipped in elegance that we can expect from the forth coming full length. It is a beautiful track that also touches on Northern soul and Motown whilst keeping Mr Day's unique own sound.

Completing the package is fellow Frenchman, Patchworks. The esteemed producer and long time collaborator with Mr Day gives us a fresh and upfront disco-soul remix. More suited to the dancefloor than the original, his remix still retains the warm, vintage style that his production is known for.

Review: Jackson Jazz & DJ Suspect, aka the Funk League, enlist the services of Ugly Duckling's Andy C and NYC rappers Diamond D & Sadat X on the The Boogie Down Bombers EP. An ebullient mix of funk and hip-hop ensues, with the title track coming in at a hip-hop tempo with tinny percussion and some killer scratching. Next up is another b-boy jam "You're Gonna Learn", which speeds up the tempo and sees Andy C on lyrical duties, and, unsurprisingly, he doesn't disappoint. The Ugly Duckling man even does a decent Brian Clough impersonation, boasting that he's "not the best, but definitely in the top 1". Loads of fun all round and big props to the ever reliable French label Favorite.

Review: New Jersey funk and hip-hop nabob The Real Fake MC teams up with French producer Patchworks for this debut album, which digs deep into the history of P-Funk and Sugarhill on tracks like the Gap Band-esque "Hunt Ya Sunshine" or the Kurtis Blow-recalling "Hey Kids".

Review: French label Favourite has always been a reliable source of warm and comfy goodtime grooves, from floor-friendly modern soul and heartening jazz-funk to dub reggae and contemporary disco. This third label compilation mines their rich back catalogue to present an enjoyable selection of sounds from their roster. Highlights are, naturally, plentiful, from the deep piano jazz of Buddy Sativa and smooth neo-soul of Hazel to the dubwise strut of The Dynamics, Mr President's afro-tinged floorfillers and the synth boogie revivalism of Walter Mecca. There's also a typically sparse hip-hop outing from Onra that's well worth a gander.